A former prisoner who claimed this morning that prison had not done him any good was jailed again for a year and four months for attempting a theft of more than €2,300 worth of jewellery, damaging property and relapsing.

Anthony Abela, 52, who claimed he was homeless and lived in a garage in Birkirkara admitted to the charges.

The police said they received a report about break-in at a flat at Ta’ Xbiex at around 1 p.m. yesterday.

They found the man inside the bedroom of the flat trying to steal the jewellery and arrested him.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman said the accused had quite a substantial criminal record.

He had also been given probation for drug possession and spent time in jail

“I won’t count all the convictions because there are too many.

“You have two very serious problems - drugs and unemployment. You wasted your life in prison,” she told the accused.

He replied:

“Now, it’s too late.”

But the magistrate quickly retorted:

“It’s never too late. You were given many chances to reform.”

Mr Abela said:

“Prison hasn’t done me any good.”

And the magistrate told him:

“But I have to send you there. Outside you will take drugs and steal.”

Magistrate Hayman then jailed the man but and made a strong recommendation to the prisons director to give the man all the necessary assistance he needed to kick his drug habit.